Section 481.20 - Prohibition on Inmate-to-Inmate MailAn inmate may be permitted to send mail to an inmate confined in any other correctional or penal institution in the Commonwealth only if the other inmate is either a member of the inmate's immediate family or is a party in a legal action in which both inmates are parties representing themselves. The Superintendent may approve such mail in other exceptional circumstances, with particular regard to the nature of the relationship between the two inmates, and the security level of the institution. The following additional limitations apply:
(1) The Superintendents at both the sending and receiving institutions must approve of the mail;(2) Such incoming or outgoing mail at institutions of all security levels may, for reasons of safety or security, be inspected and read by staff at either the sending and/or receiving institution pursuant to the authorization of the Commissioner or institution Superintendent in accordance with applicable guidelines and requirements set forth in 103 CMR 481.12, 481.13 and 481.14.(3) When an inmate's request to send inmate-to-inmate mail is approved by both Superintendents, a copy of the approval document(s) shall be placed in each inmate's six-part folder, and a copy shall be maintained in the mail room of both institutions.(4) Superintendents shall develop a logging process to show approvals and disapprovals for inmate-to-inmate mail. Approved inmate-to-inmate non-privileged mail shall be reviewed every 90 days.(5) The prohibition on inmate-to-inmate mail applies only to Department of Correction inmates incarcerated in a Department of Correction or county facility in Massachusetts.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1338, eff. 5/5/2017.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1440, eff. 4/2/2021.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1483, eff. 11/25/2022.